The first of these aircraft will begin conversion at the start of 2026 and will enter service in 2027 to carry out air-to-air refuelling and transport missions.
«This new order demonstrates the high level of customer satisfaction with the A330 MRTT,» said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. «This is the third contract signed by Saudi Arabia for the A330 MRTT, making the RSAF one of the largest MRTT operators in the world.»
The contract also includes a logistics support package with spare parts, training services, and service support for the new aircraft.
All RSAF A330 MRTTs are configured with hose and drogue pods, a boom system, and a refuelling receptacle, allowing them to be refuelled by boom-equipped tankers.
Industrial Cooperation
As part of this contract, Airbus signed an Industrial Participation (IP) agreement with GAMI (General Authority for Military Industries) in January 2024 to support Vision 2030, a Saudi government programme aimed at diversifying the country’s economy.
This agreement includes the transfer of technology and know-how of the RSAF A330 MRTT to local companies. SAAMS, the joint venture created between SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries) and Airbus, will be the main vehicle for industrial localisation.
The A330 MRTT is the most capable new-generation tanker and transport aircraft, holding 90% of the market share outside the USA, with 82 orders from 15 countries in Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania.
For more details, visit the official Airbus website.
